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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Blithe Spirit Also see Gil's reviews of The Mousetrap, The Barricade Boys: Broadway at the Movies, Cheyenne Jackson's Midlife Torso Tour, Come from Away
The story centers on novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to his home for a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The evening takes an unexpected turn when the ghost of Charles's late first wife, Elvira, is accidentally summoned. Invisible to everyone but Charles, Elvira quickly wreaks havoc on his comfortable marriage to his second wife, Ruth. As jealousy, misunderstandings, and supernatural complications pile up, Charles finds himself caught between the living and the dead, with increasingly chaotic consequences. Blithe Spirit was written during World War II and became an instant success when it premiered in London in 1941, offering audiences escapism and laughter during a difficult time. The play explores themes of marriage, memory, and the selfishness that can linger even beyond the grave, all filtered through Coward's famously sharp and witty dialogue. However, while the writing is full of clever turns of phrase and biting humor, there are moments when the pacing feels a bit creaky and repetitive by contemporary standards, especially in the somewhat drawn-out events that happen after the supernatural antics take hold. Even so, the wit in Coward's writing and the fun in the piece remain largely irresistible. The cast handles Coward's language and rhythmic line delivery with confidence. Mitchell Glass perfectly captures Charles Condomine's smug charm, confusion, and mounting frustration. As Ruth, Charles's second wife, Katie Allen is fantastic, with her composure slowly unraveling as events spiral out of control. Meg Farnsworth Faraoni is a spirited delight as the playful and mischievous Elvira, with a performance that balances flirtation and spite. Barbara McBain is a hoot and an audience favorite as Madame Arcati, embracing the character's eccentricity with gusto. While her moves and expressions are kooky, McBain keeps the character rooted in sincerity rather than caricature. Matthew R. Harris and Andrea Hough provide solid support as Dr. and Mrs. Bradman, with skeptical reactions and a primness to their line delivery that add to the play's escalating absurdity. Michelle Holguin is a joy as Edith, the Condomine's maid. Jere Van Patten's direction makes smart use of the entire playing area, ensuring that the action remains visually engaging even while all of the play unfolds in a single room. Cheryl Schaar's static set is cleverly staged to accommodate both the physical comedy and the supernatural elements, with the intimacy of the space truly making you feel you're a member of the séance and the events that unfold, while Heather Riddle's costumes are truly gorgeous, evoking the period with elegance and flair. Matthew R. Harris' hair and wig designs are also quite good. Blithe Spirit at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre delivers a thoroughly enjoyable evening of classic comedy. Despite a few slower moments inherent in the script, the strong direction, appealing performances, and stylish design remind us why Coward's supernatural romp continues to delight audiences more than eighty years after it first premiered. Blithe Spirit runs through February 28, 2026, at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Vía Linda #118, Scottsdale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com or call 480-314-0841. Directed by Jere Van Patten Cast: |
